Extend the Capacity of Your Bandsaw Using Cool Blocks

If you ever want to replace your original steel guide blocks, Cool Blocks is an alternative. The guide block is made from a specially formulated graphite impregnated phenolic laminate with a dry lubricant.

But are Cool Blocks worth the extra money as opposed to using steel blocks or making your own out of hardwood for example?

A claim of Cool Blocks is that they will extend the life of your bandsaw blade because they will prevent the blade from overheating. The reality is that the blade gets heated up due to the flexing of the blade while it spins around the wheels. The tooth tips also gets hot from the friction of cutting. The touching of the blade on the guide blocks create very minimal heat on the blade compared to the flexing and cutting.

So as a regular guide block, Cool Blocks is not really worth the extra money. It will not extend the life of your blade of any real consequence.

However, where Cool Blocks does excel, is that they make it possible to run small 1/4" blades on your bandsaw. The soft material will not damage the blade teeth so you can locate the blocks against the blade for total support. You can even use smaller blades such as a 1/16th inch blade with the Cool Blocks. You will be effectively creating a scroll saw out of your bandsaw.

Below I have two links to Cool Blocks so that you can compare prices.

Olson® Cool Blocks® for Band Saw Improve your band saw performance with the blade guide blocks recommended by professionals! Cool Blocks replace your standard upper and lower side blade guides, allowing blades to run cooler, quie.. Olson® Cool Blocks® for Band Saw

Cool Blocks from Woodcraft